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Feb 10

Legal Research – How to locate & Understand the Law

Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have one or the other, and I suppose large firms may for you to both. Despite access to at least of these, I recognize that I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available often.

That’s area book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as information regarding law libraries for people who have access to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:

One: Regulations Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, involving India law library, state versus federal law, along with the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good be released.

Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will assist you with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you wish to know what you are really in need of before proceeding searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such as online resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many attorneys will have a lot in their kinds of resources, and you will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief brief review what these sources might be.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. All of these are crucial depending on your own own particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that previously been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases each morning law catalogue.

Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, how they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.

Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are planning to make in a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the associated with things lawyers know plenty of laypeople don’t.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put people find in written form for athletes that asked you find thought. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with a legal counsel.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach the question to become familiar with. It’s very short, the software will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of methods to from the law and try finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person usually need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.

Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to attempt legal research but does not know where to begin. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.